We also schedule on-site custom classes at your place of employment. E-Hazard can design a training program around your company’s unique electric safety program needs. We’ve designed specific training for several industries around the country and around the world including petrochemical, waste management, welding, automotive, communications, military, metals and much more.

The ArcWear™ e-Hazard.com Electric Arc and Safety Newsletterprovides a quick update on Arc Rated and Flame Resistant Clothing issues and news from OSHA and standards committees. The newsletter is FREE, reaches over 14,000 people and will bring you up to date on the issues that surround flame resistant clothing for flash fire hazards and the electric arc. For previous newsletters or to sign up, visit arcwear.com or e-Hazard.com.

August Survey Results: Safety Standards Used

SURVEY QUESTION:

For your electrical safety program, which of the following standards do you use?

Q: I am helping one of my graduate students with the evaluation of a manufacturer who is allowing unqualified individuals to flip the switches in electrical panel boxes (one was identified as 480V; I’m not sure of the others). They are also unaware of arc flash/blast hazards. I would like to know if these individuals who may be at risk require the PPE as well as training, even though they would not be the ones to perform the annual calibration or maintenance.

Regards, A, Houston, Texas

A: Thank you for your important question. My short answer is: “Maybe they are at risk, and they may need to wear PPE and receive training.” Let me explain.

According to NFPA 70E under the definition of “Arc Flash Hazard” in the “Informational Note No. 1,” an arc flash hazard may exist when energized electrical conductors or circuit parts are exposed or when they are within equipment in a guarded or enclosed condition, provided a person is interacting with the equipment in such a manner that could cause an electric arc. Under normal operating conditions, enclosed energized equipment that has been properly installed and maintained is not likely to pose an arc flash hazard. (I have added the underlining)

So, there are two issues here:

1)Whenever a person interacts with electrical equipment, such as opening/closing switches, even though the door is closed or the cover is on, an arc flash hazard may exist.

2) If the equipment has been properly installed according to the National Electric Code, and properly maintained, using such resources as NFPA’s Standard 70B and the International Electrical Testing Association’s Standard for Maintenance Testing Specifications, an arc flash hazard is not likely to occur.

Therefore, it really comes down to a judgement call of the facility’s safety management. A person needs to take into account the age of the equipment, the design of the equipment, as well as its installed and maintained condition in order to determine if there is an arc flash hazard when opening or closing a switch.

If the facility’s safety management determines that an arc flash hazard exists in this situation, then personnel need to wear the appropriate PPE and receive the appropriate training.

Even though the personnel are not the ones who perform the annual calibration or maintenance, they may still be required to become “task qualified.” That means they have the skills and knowledge to perform a certain task and have received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved for the particular task they are required to perform. Task qualification limits qualification to a particular task and that task alone.

Thomas Gibson of Aberdeen, NC, was killed while working on an electrical box in the Buffalo community of Union County, SC. It was not known if he was an employee of Lockhart Power Company or a private utility contractor. Find out more from the GoUpstate.com website dated 9/6/12.…»

Comcast Worker injured in Arc Flash in Santa Cruz

09-21-2012 20:50:21 PM

A Comcast employee installing fiber optics in Santa Cruz, CA, was severely injured when the bucket in which he was working came in contact with overhead power lines, setting the bucket lift & truck on fire, as well as burning Mararito Mesa’s left arm, left leg, left ear, back & chest in the blast. A […]…»

Book Release: Practical Guide to OSHA & NFPA 70E Book

09-21-2012 20:50:03 PM

James R. White has just released his book discussing the interaction between OSHA Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices regulations ( (29CFR1910.331 – .335) and NFPA 70E. The title of the book is “Electrical Safety: A Practical Guide to OSHA and NFPA 70E”. Jim is a thoughtful member of NFPA 70E and a member of ASTM F18. One […]…»

‘What’s New with Arc Flash Standards’ Article by Mark Saner

09-21-2012 20:48:43 PM

NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace was revised for 2012, with many additions, improvements and revisions from previous versions. Mark Saner has written an article in Occupational Health & Safety Magazine reviewing some of the changes that have raised questions and may need explanation. Click here to read the article in the […]…»

WaterWorld Article: Avoiding Arc Flash Hazards in the Water Industry

09-21-2012 20:48:25 PM

Philip Gonski, PE, of Keystone Engineering Group in Frazer, PA, has written an article on arc flash hazards as related to water and wastewater facilities. Summary: “Preventing long term outages and promoting employee safety are the ultimate goals of arc flash calculations. While the engineer can often drastically reduce arc flash hazards by modifying device settings, […]…»

Two injured in electrical accident in India

09-21-2012 20:48:00 PM

Two workers were burned at a construction worksite in India when a screwdriver with which the electricians were testing the current in different phases slipped from their hands, connecting both the phases. The screw driver had melted because of the impact of the high voltage current. Find out more from The Hindu article dated 9/18/12.…»

Construction worker badly injured in electrical accident in Virginia

09-21-2012 20:47:45 PM

A construction worker in western Henrico County, VA, was seriously injured when the scaffolding he was moving touched a high voltage power line. Find out more from the Richmond-Times Dispatch website dated 9/20/12. …»

Electrical Injuries in England, Pakistan, Germany

09-21-2012 20:47:23 PM

An electrical apprentice in England received a serious head injury when his ladder upon which he was working touched a live wire and he fell to the ground. Get the details from ABC Online dated 9/20/12. A Parks Authority worker was fatally injured in Pakistan when he accidentally touched a live wire while trimming trees. […]…»

White Paper on NFPA 70E 2012 Affecting Data Centers

09-21-2012 20:46:48 PM

Emerson Network Power has written a white paper providing an overview of how the safety and maintenance changes required by NFPA 70E impact data centers. This could be a very important paper. Balancing reliability with safety. Get details from the Emerson Network Power website dated 9/13/12. Go directly to the Emerson Network Power white paper.…»

Bill by Queensland Australia to Change the Electrical Safety Act

09-21-2012 20:43:12 PM

The Attorney-General introduced a bill to state parliament to make changes to the Electrical Safety Act, including abolishing the electrical safety commissioner, the safety education committee and the equipment committee, replacing them with an elected chairman and advisory committees that meet when the need arises. Three safety inspectors and an additional three other vacant positions […]…»

E-Hazard offers ‘Train the Trainer‘ courses several times per year. This 3-or-4 day intensive training program is designed to prepare qualified trainers to deliver instruction to others based on NFPA 70E and OSHA requirements. e-Hazard started this training to “raise the bar” in the electrical industry. Most of the safety training companies require you to hire their trainers. We offer this but we also provide training materials and trainer “training” and coaching so you can develop in-house expertise without “breaking the bank”. See what over 400 other trainers are saying about the e-Hazard TTT class and our materials.

We must receive materials or clothing one week before the test date for sample preparation, or make arrangements to ship to the lab in Canada. New and non US/Canadian Customers must make payment before test date. Testing is offered on a first come/first served basis with priority for consulting customers.

Policies:

$100 per material for prep/washing and cutting panels; ($200 for items arriving less than 7 days before test date to cover preparation overtime)

$200 for shipping a signed hard-copy report internationally

No guarantee is made of when testing will occur; we do all in our power to test within one month of receipt.

All ArcWear.com testing is performed at Kinectrics High Current lab in Toronto, Canada. Kinectrics is an ISO 17025 accredited lab by the Standards Council of Canada.

Q: I’ve heard a lot of questions about the durability and safety of treated-cotton FR fabrics. Can you help me understand which brands will effectively protect workers from electric arc exposure?

A: While Arcwear.com does not endorse specific companies or products, we have performed extensive testing and accident investigations. In our experience, treated-cotton fabrics made by Westex, WallsFR, Mount Vernon, Milliken, Antex and Itex are reputable brands and generally perform similarly for arc flash protection, based on each fabric style’s arc rating. Fabrics made by other manufacturers may also provide adequate protection.

In the past there were very few materials which could take 100 or more washes and retain flame resistance. Today some competitive testing is done with washing methods which are not common, and some brands do better on these wash tests than others, but the US laundries by and large do not use these methods and home- laundering does not characteristically use the harsh methods done in the competitive testing like the NFPA 2112 industrial laundry wash. I know of no US laundry which uses this method. Love to hear from laundries which do use these harsher wash environments.

iSHN Virtual Safety Expo

iSHN Virtual Safety Expo is a free online event designed to place information, peers and solution providers at your fingertips, leveraging the power of this virtual trade show platform with the unique and vital information from safety industry experts and thought leaders.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT

Just log onto your computer from the comfort of your office or home and join the conference.

Power Gripz has recently released a rubber glove with leather protectors, with an added gripping agent.

Here are my comments on these new gloves:

“THE POWER GRIPZ could begin to change the utility industry by giving better grip than leather with even better arc protection. Linemen have complained about the poor grip of leather, especially when damp. THE POWER GRIPZ could solve these problems without compromising protection. Until there is a performance based standard for leather protectors, THE POWER GRIPZ are a great option.”

We want to engage in a two-way conversation with you! Join us in the social media space of your choice and we’ll keep you up-to-date on industry news, articles, upcoming events, trends, new products and more. We look forward to connecting with you.

Nancy is our General Manager and has over 25 years of professional business management experience. Nancy’s experience has been primarily in the technical services industry. As Vice President of Education and Technology of a healthcare organization, Nancy implemented web conferencing for continuing education courses. As Corporate Controller for a regional technology company she created a budget process for 10 branch offices each with 6 business units and investigated and implemented acquisitions. A career student, Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisville in Occupational Training and Development. While at the University of Louisville, Nancy completed courses at the Speed Scientific School in Applied Math Computer Science Engineering as well as Electrical Technology.

On a personal note, Nancy enjoys spending time at the family farm and just celebrated her 21st wedding anniversary with her husband Ronny.

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